Apparatus for safeguarding against errors in accounting documents



July'17. 9 K. A. KNUTSEN APPARATUS FOR SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ERRORS INACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 22, 1951 l/ #35 a #10!Gig/12 Gill/3 67104- iii! 1 rllll July 17, 1956 K A. T-(NUTSEN 2,755,022

APPARATUS F"OR SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS FiledMarch 22 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Hg. 4a

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APPARATUS FOR SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS FiledMarch 22, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.4:

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July 17, 1956 Filed March 22 1951 K. A. KNUTSEN APPARATUS FOR-SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5EVE/V764 Mar 6 0 2495195 15:17:

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Filed March 22, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 I I l Hg. 4 d

NUTS K. A. APPARATUS FOR SAFEGUAR G AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTINGDOCUMENTS Filed March 22, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 24 E 158 F w h at ML wgas a 9 A\ B i 2 3 6 7 a 9 mvrmrrm- 6 g g awg-aag g g g ur 6 00x595Kn/7- 556/ (MW, 4 v 6 July 17. 1956 K. A. KNUTSEN 2,755,022

APPARATUS FOR SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS FiledMarch 22, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 G0 6/ G2 G3 G4 G5 66 United StatesPatent APPARATUS FOR SAFEGUARDING AGAINST ERRORS IN ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTSKnut Andreas Knutsen, Paris, France, assignor to Compagnie des MachinesBull (Societe Anonyme), Paris, France Application March 22, 1951, SerialNo. 216,887 Claims priority, application France March 31, 1950 13Claims. (Cl. 235-6L6) suitably determined, called the control symbol.

The known devices have for object to reveal a possible error m anisolated figure simultaneously with a possible error in thetransposition of two successive figures.

When it is desired to achieve a device of this type for figures writtenaccording to the decimal system of numeration: there may be used thecontrol by eleven, in which case there must be available, to write thesymbol, a special sign to designate the figure ten; or there may be useda control with a base less than eleven.

In this case the control system fails to detect certain errors whichdepend on the chosen base, but a special sign is no more required forrepresenting the number ten. For example a control device with a base 3,which is adapted to calculate the sum of the digits of a number to beregistered and deduce from this sum the greatest integral multiple of 3which it contains, will not detect digital error equal to 3 or 6 or 9.These numbers 3, 6, 9 are said to be the gaps" of the control device, Anobject of the present invention is to obtain as good a protectionagainst errors as that which is provided by the control by eleven whenone wants to check the listing on a card or the like, by an accountingmachine, of a datum printed or, more generally, readable on anaccounting document handled by this machine. This result can be obtainedin many different ways, but two devices are hereafter disclosed whichmake it possible to calculate the remainder of the division by aninteger called base of the sum of the digits of the number or datum tobe checked. Devices for this pattern can easily be arranged according tothe base chosen. Another device, which is a variant of the abovementioned devices -is also hereafter disclosed, permits of computing theremainder of the division by an integral base of a number equal to thealgebraic sum of the digits of increasing denominational orders of thenumber to be checked, when said digits are alternatively given andsigns, the lower order digit being positive. Such a device, working witha base 11, can replace the device SC in the Figure 2 of theabove-mentionedpatent application Ser; No. 190,507 of October 17, 1950.These three control devices deliver partial symbols. The inventionconsists essentially in the use, in a single checking device, of atleast two devices of this kind, whose bases are such that the gapsinherent to one of them are suppressed by the other or others and viceversa-Q According to the present invention: in order to use a checkingsymbol for-a number comprising several figures, it is not indispensablethat the number formed by combining these figures with the checkingsymbol or control symbol has a simple arithmetical property, as was thecase with the control by eleven. A symbol can also be computed throughthe application of a linear algebraic formula which can be applied notonly to the digits of a number to be checked but also to those whichconventionally represent a group of letters. This symbol is simplymarked or otherwise registered besides the said number. The devicesaccording to the present invention are above all devised to check theidentity of the symbol registered on the accountingdocument with thechecking symbol which they calculate.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, in order toobtain the definitive symbol there are added together the partialsymbols furnished by two control devices'whose bases have been suitablyselected.

Specifically, one can use '3 and 5, or 4 and 5, or 3 and 7, or 4 and 7,or 5 and 6.

A control or check made according to the present invention comprises Afirst register forcalculating a partial symbol corresponding'to a firstbase p and to the datum listed by the accounting machine; I

A second register, similar or not to the first one, for calculatinganother partial symbol corresponding to a second base q and to the saiddatum;

A comparing unit which is adapted to add the two partial symbols and tocompare the checking symbol with thesymbol-registered on thehandledaccounting document.

If it is desired to register the checking symbol this comparing unit canbe made to control its registration by connecting it with a regularcard-punching machine or the like. Checking devices of this pattern canbe used with figures corresponding to a numeration system with anon-decimal base. If, for example, it is desired to control groups ofletters and figures, a given arithmetic value will be assigned to eachletter of the alphabet: there can thus be obtained a system based on 34(24 letters plus 10 figures, the O and the'I being confused with thecorresponding figures 0 and 1).

According to the invention, three calculating devices will be provided,having for example, such bases as, 2, 5, 7 or 3, 4, 7 or 3, 5, 7,according to the embodiment of the invention desired, and one device forcomparing the sum of the three partial symbols with the symbol appearingin the accounting document.

Fig. l is a circuit diagram of a relay actuated register, which metersnumerical impulses;

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of a comparing unit;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a checking device arranged according to thepresent invention;

Figs. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, taken together and assembled according to Fig. 5show the complete circuit diagram of the checking device schematicallyshown by Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows the outline of the Figs. 4a to 4d when assembled;

Fig. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of a register adapted to calculatea partial symbol corresponding to the base 5;

Fig. 7 represents a second embodiment of a part of the register of Fig.6;

Fig. 8 represents a third embodiment of a part of the register of Fig.6;

In order to understand the action of a checking device as shown in Figs.4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, attention must first be given to Fig. l, whichrepresents a cyclic totalizer which has a storing capacity equal to 5and no carry-over device. This totalizer, shown in rest position, storestherefore one unit or zero every time a positive pulse, pertaining to atrain of substantially periodical'pulses is'applied to the admissionterminal of the totalizer.

Five relays are shown, R to R14 (plus a relay RS in series with therelays R11 to R14); the signalling devices no to m, respectivelycorresponding to the registered dig ts 0 to 4, represent electromagneticrelays as is shown in Fig. 4a, etc. Each of the relays R11 to R14. hastwo contact units. One of them is quick closing and the other one slowclosing. In another embodiment each windlng R11 to R14 is replaced bytwo relays connected in parallel and respectively provided with twocontact units. One of these relays is slow acting and the other one isqulck acting. In the Figure 1 the contact units 10, 11, 21, 31, 41, arequick closing. The contact units 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, are slow closing.The delays in closing of the latter contact units are substantiallyequal and smaller than the repetition period of the metered pulses.Trains of penodical positive pulses, hereafter called numerical, areimpressed on the input terminal e. (The relay E limits the duration ofthis impulse by opening its delay contact 71.) Line M, at which apositive voltage is applied permanently forms with the line N the inputsof a holding circuit for the relays R11 to R14. An initial impulseapplied to line L, with the system at rest (position 0), passes through55 and energizes R11, which is maintained by the line M and the contactunit 11 when RS has opened its contact 55 with delayed action. Thisrelay prepares the passage of the second impulse to Rrz by its slowclosing contact 15, which closes. This is then positioned 1, whence thenext following positions are achieved, each in turn, every time that animpulse appears at L. Each relay which is excited under the influence ofan impulse cuts off the holding circuit for the relays of lower numbersand prepares by its slow closing contact the feeding of the relays of ahigher number by the following impulse.

The device operates in the manner described until an impulse reaches R0.This relay opens its contact 10, which cuts off the holding circuit forall the relays, and the system reverts to the position 0.

A register as shown in Fig. 1 having a storing capacity equal to 4, canreplace the counting part of the checking unit which is shown in Fig. 2of the patent application Ser. No. 190,507 of October 17, 1950,hereabove quoted.

This counting part does not make any carry-over and consists in asequence switch which receives trains of numerical pulses to be meteredfrom a similar, step-by-step transmitting sequence switch. The number ofpulses in each train is equal to the digit which is listed or printed bythe accounting machine associated with the checking device. The use ofthe register of Fig. 1 in a comparing unit according to the invention,is hereafter explained in connection with the schematic circuit diagramof Fig. 2. At the top thereof are to be seen the similar signallingdevices (0, 1 and 2 within a square) of a register P1 with the base 3and also those (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 within a square) of a similar register orcounter P2 with the base 5. It is assumed that each signalling deviceconsists of an electromagnetic relay, which is inserted in theconnections connecting the input terminal of the corresponding relay Rwith the input line N (Fig. 1). Each relay comprises a contact unitnormally open and a pair of such contact units, when closed, are adaptedto short-circuit one or the whole, of the series connected resistors:100, 101, which are inserted in a circuit 106, 107, 126, 108, 109, 110comprising the D. C. source 126. Other series connected resistors 112118 are connected in parallel with the resistances 100 106. Any of theresistors 112 to 117 of the symbol registering device Q can be connectedto any of the resistors of the counter P2 by the connection132-133134135 and one of the contact units 119 125 respectivelycontrolled by the relays Do to De. The latter are fed by 8 lines 127,seven of which are connected to distinct keys of a keyboard, adapted toconvert the symbol printed or marked on the accounting document into anappropriate positive pulse. This keyboard is shown in the diagram ofFigures 4a to 4d. Any of the resistors 100 to 105 is equal to any of the4 resistors 112 to 117. The resistors 106 and 118 are equal and verylarge with respect to the resistors 100. For example the resistor 106has a 10,000 ohms resistance and the resistor 100, a ohms resistance.The relay 134, 534, inserted in the connection 132, 133, 134, 534, 135is adapted to close a contact unit 137 and to trigger in that way asignalling device 138, when it is traversed by a current of adequateintensity. The rectifiers 145, 136, preferentially of the copper-oxidepattern, exert a currentlimiting action with respect to the relay 134,534 when the error made by the accounting machine is great. It issupposed, by way of example, that resistance 106 =10,000 ohms and thatresistance 100:100 ohms. The closing of one of the contact units 1 and 0of the counter P1 causes one or both resistors 100, 101. to be shortcircuited by the corresponding connection 128, 129, 130 or 131, 129,130. If it is assumed that the counter P2 has registered 4, the counterP1 the digit 0, and the symbol registered in Q is 4, the terminal 110 isconnected with the terminal a. If resistance 106==rr, resistance 100 =R,the current intensity in line 107, 118, :1'1, the current intensity inline 107, 106, 110, 131, 129, 130

=iz, the following equation is obtained: (r1+6R)i1 (r1+4R)iz whenceV115aV1:o=4Ri1 by substituting for i1 its value derived from Equation 1:

By the conjugate limiting effect of the resistor 133 and the setting ofthe relay 134-534, the latter exerts no action on the contact unit 137.Neither does it exert such an action when the sum of the partial symbolsrespectively in the counters P1 and P2 equals the marked symbolregistered in Q.

If there is an error, a current passes through the relay 134--534, whichactuates the contact unit 137.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a checking device according to thepresent invention. The identical elements in Figures 2 and 3 have thesame reference numbers. In this checking device a key-board 139, handledby a typewriter, converts into positive pulses, which it transmits to asequence switch the successive digits of a number listed on a table orthe like by a tabulating machine or any other accounting machine, as aresult of the transfer therein of this number, marked on a printedaccounting document, which indicates also the number symbol. Thesedigits are then successively transmitted by the sequences switch, inform of trains of numerical positive pulses, in the first place to apulse counter P2, working with the base 5, in the second place to asecond pulse counter P1, working with the base 3, by way of theconnections 143, 145, 146 and 143, 145, 147 which comprise a pulsedistributor 145, controlled by the key-board through the connection 148,149. The sequence switch 140 is a selector of the pattern shown in Fig.2 of the above-mentioned patent application Ser. No. 190,507, filed onOctober 17, 1950. The pulse counter P1 and P: are like those shown bythe enclosed Figure 1. The key-board 139 is also adapted to transfer tothe symbol register Q, in the same form as to the sequence switch, thesymbol which is marked on the said accounting document and correspondsto the transferred number. This symbol is equal to the sum of theremainders of the division by 5 and 3 of the sum of the digits of thesaid printed number. The units 139, 140, P1, P1, Q, 14. 11 sonnected toan energizing D. C. source 126. The Comparing unit, which is called uponto compare the checking symbol, that is the sum of the partial symbolsregistered in the counters P1 and P2 with the symbol registered in theregister Q, is the same as that hereabove disclosed in connection withFig. 2. The resistors 102, 103, 104, 105 are schematically representedby the rectangle 540 which is connected to the output 150 of the pulsecounter P2. The resistors 100, 101 are schematically represented by therectangle 141, which is connected to the output 152 of the second pulsecounter P1. The resistors 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 are schematicallyrepresented by the rectangle 142, which is connected to the output 151of the symbol register Q. The rectangle R represents schematically theaggregate formed by the resistor 133, the relay 134, 534, and therectifiers 145 and 136 in Figure 2. It is connected to the block 540 andto the block 142 by the terminals 132 and 135 respectively. Theresetting to Zero of the symbol register Q is controlled by a resettingdevice 153 through the connection 154 and the resetting of the countersP1 and P2 is controlled by the said device, operating in conjunctionwith the sequence switch 140 by means of the connection 155, 156.Electrical lamps 157 and 158, mounted on the pulse counters P1 and P2,let know when lit that these counters are set or reset to zero.

The Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d showthe complete circuit diagram of thechecking device schematically shown by the Figure 3. In these figuresthe contact units are shown in rest position. The key-board comprises 14digit keys that are closed by manual depression. The keys 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9 are respectively connected to the sequence switch 140 by theconnections 159, 160, 161-162, 163, 164-165, 166, 167-168, 169, 170-171,172, 173- 174, 175, 176-177, 178-179, 180-181, 182. The six firstconnections respectively comprise six two-way contact units, 160, 163,166, 169, 172, 175, that are the parts of an electromagnetic relay 173which can be inserted by the digit key G in the circuit 107, 184, 185,186, 187, 108, in parallel with a similar relay 188. The latter relaycontrols the normally open contact unit 189, which is mounted in serieswith the relay 190 in the line 191, 192, 193 which connects the negativeterminal 108 of the source 126 one of the springs of the digit keys 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, U. When the relay 183 is deenergized the digitkeys 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are connected to the symbol register Q by theconnections 159, 160, 195-162, 163, 196-165, 166, 197-168, 169, 198-171,172, 199- 174, 175, 200. The digit key zero is permanently connected tothis symbol register by the connection 201, 194. The role of the digitkeys U, T and S will be indicated hereafter. The sequence switch is verysimilar to a selector of automatic telephone with eleven positions. Itcomprises an electromagnet 201 which is adapted, when energized, to givea ratchet 202 a rotating step-by-step motion by means which will bedescribed hereafter. In its rotational movement about the shaft 203 theratchet 202 drives four rows of double contact brushes, keyed at 90apart. For the sake of clarity only two rows 204, 205 and 206, 207 arerepresented. These brushes move, during the rotation of the wheel 202,over contact studs and sectors arranged in four superposed banks,forming two pairs. In the upper bank eleven contact studs 211 to 221 arespaced over an angle somewhat smaller than 90. In the immediatelysubjacent bank an input stud 222 and a contact sector 223 aresuccessively brought into contact with the studs of the upper bank bythe brush 204 which, in its initial position, connects the studs 211 and222. In this same position the brush 206 of the preceding row of brushesis in contact neither with the stud 221 nor with the sector 223. In theother pair of banks the upper bank comprises an input stud 208 and acontact sector 209, whilst the lower bank comprises an input stud 210and a contact sector 223. The sectors 223 and 209, which are connectedto one another, are connected to the source 126 by the line 107, 184,224,

228, 229. When the brushes 204 and 205 have rotated through from theirshown initial position two other brushes, not shown, respectively comeinto contact with the studs 211, 222 and 208, 210. Each of thehereabovementioned connections, which connect the keyboard 139 with thesequence switch is a part of a circuit comprising, when thecorresponding digit key is depressed, the terminal 107 of the source126, the line 184, 185, the said connection, a dry rectifier, a relay,the line 225, 226, 227, 186, 108. Each one of these relays R1, R2, R3 R9controls one of the cut-off contact units C1, C2 C9 and one of theholding contact units M1 to M8. Each of the latter contacts is connectedto the positive terminal 107 of the source by the sector 209 and theconnection 230, 231, 232, 233, which comprises a cut-off contact unit234, controlled by a relay 235. This relay is inserted in the circuit221, 235, 226, 227, 187, 108 whose completion is secured by the passageof a brush over the contact stud 221.

As it has been hereinabove said, the electromagnet 201 is called upon torotate intermittently the ratchet 202. The energizing circuit 108, 187,227, 201, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240 of this electromagnet comprises acontact unit 238, controlled by a relay 241 and a make-contact unit 239,controlled by the above mentioned relay 190. Under conditions which willbe hereafter examined, the contact units 238 and 239 are closed and theelectromagnet 201 energized. It attracts then a blade 240, which rocksabout a pin 241. This attraction tightens a spring 242 and an insulatingpush rod 245, mounted on the lever 240, displaces the blade 246 so as toopen a contact 247. A pawl 248, rotatably secured at the end of thelever 240, is adapted to engage one of the forty-four peripheralrecesses of the ratchet 202. When the electromagnet 201 is no longerenergized, the spring 242 pulls the lever 240, causing the pawl 248 torotate the ratchet 202 in the direction of the arrow 251 till the pawlis stopped by the stop 249. The corresponding step displacement of thebrush 204 brings it into contact with the contact stud 212. Acounter-pawl 250 prevents the ratchet 202 from rotating back when thepawl 248 is retracted by the clockwise movement of the lever 240. Therotation of the ratchet closes again the contact unit 247, that causes anew one step rotation of the ratchet and this motion goes onautomatically till the brush 204 has taken the initial position of thebrush 206 shown by Fig. 4b.

The contact studs 212 to 220 are respectively connected to cut-offcontacts C1 to C9, that form a chain 255-252 which is terminated by anoutput 252 of the sequence switch. In the connection pertaining to thestud 220 is inserted a cut-01f contact 281 which is controlled by arelay 282. Another output 253 of the sequence switch and the cut-offcontact C1 are connected by the line 254, 255, 256, 237 to the feedingline 237, 238, 239, 240 of the electro-magnet.

Either output 252, 253 can be connected to the pulse distributor 145 bya make-and-break contact unit controlled by a relay 257. The pulsedistributor, which is enclosed in a rectangle marked in dash-and-dotpattern, comprises a make-and-break contact unit 258 and a relay 259which controls it. The latter relay is inserted in an energizing circuit107, 184, 185, U, 148, 149,259, 260, 227, 187, 108 which is completed bydepressing the finger key U. When this key is in rest position eitheroutput 252, 253 of the sequence switch is connected with the pulsecounter P2 by the line 261, 262. When the key is depressed either switchoutput is connected to the pulse counter P1 by the line 263, 264. Thecounter P2 is a specific embodiment of the counter of Fig. 1, in thepoint that the rectangles lie, in, us, H3, 14 in the Figure 4a aresubstantially identical relays, individually controlling 2 contact unitsand that a lamp 158 acts as a clearing indicator. Direct current energyis fed to the pulse counter Pz by the lines 266, 265, 228, 224, 107 and267,

268, 227, 193, 187, 108. The five contact units 270, 271, 272, 273, 274represents the contact units 4, 3, 2, l, of the counter P2 of Figure 2and are connected in parallel, by the connection 132, 269 to thesignalling unit R, which is itself connected to the symbol register Q bythe line 275, 135. Four other contact units 275, 277, 278, 279 of therelays 144 to 111 are respectively connected, by the resettingconnections 291, 292-293, 294-295, 296, 297-298, 299, 300 to theenergizing lines of the relays R14, R13, R12, R11. The latter lines arerespectively connected to the digit keys 4, 3, 2, 1. The two sets ofcontact units 291, 293, 295, 298-492, 294, 297, 300 are a part of theresetting device 153 and are respectively controlled by the relays 301,302. The contact unit 280 is adapted to switch on and out the indicatinglam 158. The three relays V0, V1, V2 of the pulse counter P1 aresubstantially identical to the relays 110 to m of the counter P1. Thecontact units 283, 284, 285 correspond to those referenced 0, 1, 2, inthe counter P1 of Fig. 2. The contact units 286, 287, 288 are connectedin parallel to the positive terminal 107 of the source by the line 289,290, 185, 184. The contact units 287 and 288 are respectively connectedby the connections 303, 299, and 304, 296 to the 2 resetting connectionswhich correspond to the relays 111 of the counter P2. The contact units303 and 304 are controlled by a relay 305. The two relays 301 and 305are connected in parallel on the one hand, to a contact stud of thethree-pole, double-throw switch 306 normally open, which is adapted tocontrol, as will be shown hereinafter, either the resetting of the pulsecounter P2, or that of the pulse counter P1. In its two closingpositions, by way of its terminals 30611 or 306b, it is adapted toenergize the relays 307, 308 and 309. The relay 307, when energized,closes the contact unit 310 which energizes the relay 257. The relay308, when energized, opens the contact unit 311 inserted in the holdingcircuit 224, 312, 323, 321, 319, 320 of the relay 321 and, moregenerally, of the other relays 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318 of thesymbol register Q. The energizing of the relay 309 closes the contactunit 322 and connects the output 254 of the sequence switch to aprinting device shown in M in Figure 3, which is adapted to register thesum of the partial symbols, hereinabove called checking symbol. Theoperation of the checking device represented by the Figures 4a, 4b, 4c,4d is as follows:

The operator registers first the symbol marked or printed on theaccounting document besides the number to be transferred into themachine, which is for example 7859. This symbol being 6, he depressesthe finger key 6 and a positive pulse energizes the relay 321 of thesymbol register Q. The latter relay closes its two contact units and isheld energized by the holding circuit hereinabove mentioned and thuscompleted. The relay 134 of the signalling unit is then connected to thepositive terminal of the source 126 through the resistor 118. After thisregistration, the operator releases the digit key 6 and depresses thekey G. By so doing the relays R1 to R9 of the sequence switch areconnected to the terminals 159 to 181 of the keyboard and the contactunit 184, controlled by the relay 188, gets closed. A locking finger keynot shown is simultaneously depressed and keeps the key G depressed whenit is released by the operator. When the latter wants it to come intoits undepressed position, he depresses once more the locking key, as isusual in the regular writing machines for typing words in capitalletters. The operator depresses then the key S, which is also providedwith a locking key not shown and remains depressed after releasing. Theswitch 238 gets closed and the relay 241 is held energized by theconnection 330, 331, 332. The operator types afterwards the number 7859in the usual manner. When he depresses the key 7 he energizes the relay190 through the line 177, 192, what entails the closing of the contactunit 239 and the sending of a positive impulse into the electromagnet201 through the switch 238. The ratchet 202 turns through and sevenpositive pulses, transmitted by the output 253 of the sequence switch,produce the registration of 2 in the pulse counter P2. The passage ofthe brush 204 on the contact stud 221 clears the sequence switch by theopening in 234 of the holding circuit of the relays R1 to R9 by means ofthe relay 235. The depressing of the key 8, which takes placeimmediately after, entails the registration of zero in the counter P2.The depressing of the key 5 entails the registration of zero in thecounter and finally the depressing of the key 9 causes the digit 95=4 tobe registered in this counter. The lamp 158, which was lit just beforethe depressing of the key S, is now extinguished. The operator depressesnow the key U, which remains depressed after releasing by means of alocking key of the pattern herein above mentioned. The output 253 of thesequence switch is now connected to the input terminal 264 of the pulsecounter P1. The operator types again the number 7859 and this counterfinally registers the digit 2=7+8+5+927. In that condition the input 269of the signalling unit R is connected to the terminal of the resistor105 and the terminal 109 of the resistor 100 is connected to thenegative terminal 108 of the source by the connection 325, 326. Theother input 275 of the unit R being connected to the upper terminal ofthe resistor 117, the relay 134 is deenergized and does not bring thesignalling device 138 into action.

The checking being now over, the operator unblocks the key U and setsthe change-over switch 306 into the upper position of closing, in whichthe terminal 306b is connected to the positive terminal of the sourcethrough the line 265, 266, 327. He could have as well let the keydepressed and set the switch 306 into its lower position of closing,what would have caused the clearance of the counter P1. The closedcontact unit 276 in relay 114 is now connected at 328 with the line 169,and a positive pulse propagating towards 170 energizes the relay RSimultaneously, through the terminal 306b, the relays 307, 308 and 309are energized and the symbol register is set to zero. The said positivepulse propagates along the path 328, 169, 168, 240, 239, 238, 237 on theone hand to the electro-magnet 201, on the other hand to the output 254of the sequence switch via the line 237, 256, 255. The ratchet 202 isput in rotation and three other positive pulses are set through the saidoutput. Then six positive pulses are sent into the pulse counter P2, instep with the passage of the brush 204 over the studs 215 to 220. Thiscounter receives a pulse number equal to the complement to 10 of thedigit therein registered. It registers therefore zero and the lamp 158is again lit. As soon as the operator sees it lit he depresses the key Uand puts the switch 306 in its lower closing position, for which therelay 282 is energized through the terminal 306a and opens the contactunit 281. Simultaneously the relays 301 and 305 are deenergized whilstthe relay 302 remains energized. As a result the relays 307, 308 and 309are again energized and the closed contact unit 288 of the relay v: ofthe counter P1 is connectcd at 329 to the line 163, 164 through theconnection 304, 296, 297. Two positive pulses propagating in oppositedirections along this line and the therewith connected elements reachsimultaneously the relay R2 and the electromagnet 201, which areenergized, and the output 254 of the sequence switch. The ratchet 202 isagain put in rotation and one supplementary ulse traverses the saidoutput 254. As the contact unit 281 is opened, only seven positivepulses are sent by the sequence switch output 252 into the pulse counterP1. In other words this counter receives the complement to 9 of thedigit therein registered and is reset to zero. The lamp 157 is then litand indicates that the resetting of this pulse counter is done. Theoperator unblocks then the key S in the manner hereinabove disclosed anddepresses then the key T, what energizes the relay 333 and opens theholding circuit of the relay 241. The checking device is now put againin its initial inoperative condition, but if other checkings are to bedone it goes without saying that the key S must remain blocked. Anappliance not shown permits to out 01f automatically the connection 254,322 of the sequence switch with the printing device every time thesignalling device 138 is brought into action.

Fig. 6, which is composed of two parts 60: and 6b separated by thebroken line XX, shows an embodiment of a register which differs fromthat in Figures 1 and 4 in the point that it produces numerical impulseswith its own means, without cooperating with a sequence switch as shownin Fig.- 4d. In other words Fig. 6 shows a self-contained register whichhas a storing capacity equal to 5 and is derived from the device of Fig.l. The relays in Fig. 6 are shown at rest position and the elementsperforming in the register of Fig. 6 the same functions as in that ofFig. I bear the same reference numbers.

In Fig. 6b keyboard F6, located in a rectangle F6 marked in dash-and-dotpattern, is adapted to control the punching or the printing in a card ofthe partial symbol calculated by the register. This key-board permitsalso converting into positive pulses a number printed or listed by theaccounting machine to be checked, as a resultof its tabulation from anaccounting document handled by this machine. This key-board comprises 9digit keys, which act as contact units and are referenced 1 to 9. Itcomprises moreover the keys A and B which,

as will be shown hereafter, permit connecting and disconnecting from asource 341 the 9 elec'tromagnets G1 to .G9. All the keys are connectedto the positive terminal 340 of a D. C. source 341 by a connection 342,343, 345 and the digit keys are connected in pairs to the register, byfour input lines L1, L2, L3, L4. These lines are respectively connectedto the relays E1, E2, E3, E4 whlch are of a well known pattern adaptedto limit the duration of the pulses sent into the register, as isreadily seen. The keys 1 and 6 which transmit pulses of value 1, areconnected at 336 to the line L1. The keys 2 and 7 producing pulses ofvalue 2 are connected at 337 to the line L2. The keys 3 and 8, producingpulses of value 3, are connected at 338 to the line L3. The keys 4 and9, producing pulses of value 4, are connected at 339 to the line L4.

The relay Rs of the register controls the contact units 54, 55, 56, 57,58 four of which, referenced 55 to 58, are slow opening. The relay R11controls the contact units 11 to 18 the relay R12 controls the contactunits 21 to 28, the relay R13 controls the contact units 31 to 38, therelay R14 controls the contact units 41 to 48 and the relay R0 controlsthe contact unit 10. It is assumed'that the delays in closing of thecontact units 15 to 18, to 28, to 38, to 48 are substantially equal andsmaller than the minimum time interval elapsed between'two successivekey depressings. The same assumption is done for the delays in openingof the contact units to 58. We shall assume to start with, that thesuccessive impulses applied to the register come solely through line L1.It is readily seen that the operation is analogous to that indicated inFig. 1. The register being assumed to be at rest, an initial impulsepassesthrough 55, closed, and excites R11, which is maintained energizedby 14, now closed, 23, 32, 41; 55 opens with delayed action and 15closes similarly. A second impulse passes through 15 and excites R12which opens 23, which cuts the holding circuit of R11; R12 is maintainedenergized by 24 closed, 33, 42 and 11 now closed. The relays R11, R12,R13, R14, R0 are thus each excited in turn, while the register registersone unit more at each impulse.

If we now'assume that the successive impulses come solely through L2,the initial impulse passing through 56 excites R12 which is maintainedby 24, 33, 42, 11;56

is opened with delayed action and 26 closes similarly. The followingimpulse, passing through 26, excites R14, which by opening 42 cuts offthe holding circuit of R12; R14 is maintained by 44, 13, 22 now closed,31. Like wise, a subsequent impulse excites R11; another R13; anotherR0. The register registers two units more with each impulse.

It can similarly be shown that an impulse applied at L3 causes theresult obtained at U0 to U4 to advance three rows at a time; or fourrows when the impulse comes through L4. a

If the punching or printing in a card or the like of the number listedby the machine is wanted or if the partial symbol calculated in theregister must be printed or punched in a document or card the key B isdepressed, what energizes the relay 344.

It remains energized after releasing the key B through the holdingcircuit 345, 347,348 and closes the contact unit- 350. The latterconnects all the electromagnets G to the negative terminal 346 of thesource.

When one wants thereafter to render these magnets inoperative, onedepresses the key A, what results in the opening of the contact unit 348by the relay 349.

Fig. 7, which must be juxtaposed to Fig. 6 so that the broken lines XXof both of them be confounded and the line L'4 of Fig. 7 is a colinearextension of line L4 of Fig. 6, shows a four-pole reversing switchlimited by a rectangle I. It connects the input lines of the registerwith the 4 output terminals 339 to 336 of the keyboard F7, whichpresents a 5th output terminal 350; connected to a digit key 0. As hasbeen said hereinabove, the device represented by the part 6a of Fig. 6and by Fig. 7 permits computing the remainder of the division by 5 of anumber equal to the algebraic sum of the sum of the digits of increasingdenominational orders of the number to be checked, when said digits arealternatively given and signs, the lower order digit being positive. Inthe reversing switch I the line L'r is connected to the terminal 64a ofthe contact unit 64, the line Us is connected to terminal 63a of thecontact unit 63, the line L'3 is connected to the terminal 62a of thecontact unit 62 and the line U4 is connected to the terminal 61a of thecontact unit 61.

These 4 contact units are controlled by a relay 351, whose energizingcircuit 352, 93, 353 can be alternately closed and opened by a cam 92,when the latter is given an intermittent rotating movement by theratchet wheel 91. The operation of this pawl-and-r'atchet gear will beexplained hereafter. The four relays E1 to E4 are respectively providedwith four pairs of contact units e1, en, es, e4. One of the units ofeach pair, designated by the subscript a, is quick-acting, the other onebeing slow-acting and marked with a little cross. Each quickactingcontact unit is a part of the holding circuit of the correspondingrelay. All holding circuits have the same negative terminal 354 and thesame positive terminal 355. This terminal is connected by the connection365, 356, 357 both to the zero line and to relay 1, whose energizingcircuit 356, 357, 358 is completed by the closing of any quick-actingcontact unit or by the depressing of the key 0. It results therefromthat when ever a digit of the number to be entered in the register istyped on the keyboard the relay I is energized and puts in motion thepawl-ratchet gear combined with the cam 92, which is shown in Fig. 1 ofthe hereinabove mentioned patent application Ser. No. 190,507 of October17, 1950. The pawl a is rotatably mounted at the end of an armature 90,which can rock about a pin 90b and is permanently drawn clockwise by aspring 94. When the relay I is energized, it attracts the armature 90,what tightens the spring 94, and retracts the pawl 90a. When the relayis deenergized in consequence of the release of the key, the spring 94pulls the armature 90 clockwise, causing the pawl to rotate the ratchetthrough 90. Keyed on the shaft 359 is a cam 92 which, ac

cording to its position, raises or lowers the movable spring of thecontact unit 93 so as to close or open the latter. The rotation of theratchet is limited by a stop 90b. It is supposed that the number to beentered into the register is 230, and that in its rest position thecontact unit 93 is open. The key is first depressed, what causes thearmature 90 to rotate from its rest position, shown in the figure. Whenthis key is released the armature comes back in its rest position andthe cam 92 takes the position shown. The key 3 is then depressed and apositive impulse impressed on the line L2, when it is released the cam92 turns again through 90 and the relay 351 is deenergized. The key 2 isfinally depressed and an impulse sent on the line L2. The registerfinally registers 2+2=4.

The register shown by Fig. 6 can obviously be made on identicalprinciples for a base different from 5.

Figure 8 offers a variant embodiment of the part 61) of Fig. 6. Therelays of this embodiment are represented at rest position. Here the 4relays E1 to E4 have been replaced by a single relay E with 4 contacts71 to 74 (a fifth contact 70 serving to actuate the reverser unit eachtime that a 0 or a space is introduced) and two sets of stop cells c andc1 serving to prevent the impulse on one line from crossing to anotherby the connections established. Relays T and 351 of Fig. 6 have, fortheir part, been replaced by a group of 3 relays R'0, R'11, R'Sconnected to form a totalizer of the type of Fig. 1 but operating with abase 2. On the analogy of relays R0 to R14 and Rs of Fig. 1, theserelays are respectively designated by the reference letters R'o, Rrr,R's. The relay R'u controls the contact units 360 and 361, the relay Rocontrols the contact unit 362. The relay Ru is of well-knownslow-operating and slow-releasing type, the relay R'o is quick-acting,and the relay R's slow-releasing only, so that the duration of theattraction of the latters armature is equal to about the pulserepetition period. These features can be obtained, for example, by theuse of a copper slug fitted over an end of the relay core. The triggerunit 363 inserted in the time 364-360 permits transmitting the relay Rnevery two positive pulses. This trigger unit is similar to thatdisclosed in Fig. 1 of the patent application Ser. No. 171,684, filed onJuly 1, 1950, by K. A. Knutsen. The input 36311 of this trigger unit isa symmetrical point of the input circuits of the two triodes included inthis unit. The output 36312 is a tap of the resistive load of the outputcircuit of one of these triodes. The two relays R'n and R'S can bereplaced by a single one of the slow-operating and slow-releasing type,which controls the contact units 61 to 64, 360 and 361. The arrangementcomprising these 3 relays is thus equivalent to a reversing switch. Itis necessary, for the register unit of Fig. 6, or that of Fig. 7 andpart 6a of Fig. 5, or that of Fig. 8 and part 60 of Fig. 6 to operateconveniently, that the delays in opening of the contact units insertedin the lines L1 to L4 and controlled either by the relays E1 to E4 incase of Figs. 6 and 7, or by the relay E in case of Fig. 8, are lessthat those of the contact units controlled by the relays R of thetotalizer proper. In fact any numerical pulse must die away as soon asit has energized any of these relays R, Rn for example, so that itcannot energize a second relay, whose energizing circuit is establishedby the slow-acting contact which is controlled by this relay Rn.

Obviously, such a register, which has been described for a base, can becarried out on identical principles for any base. Furthermore, if, forexample, a 7 is registered in a 3 base register, the circuits (notshown) will be such that the digit will be introduced at the terminal 1as if it were a 1; if it is an 8, on terminal 2, etc.

It will be seen that a register of the type'of Fig. 6 operates on thefollowing principles:

For each output position of the register there is a corresponding relayand for each digit that can be introduced a line of excitation;

The relays exert reciprocal control always in the same direction, i. e.each relay prepares the excitation of the relay located one positionahead through the line corresponding to the digit 1, that of the relaylocated two positions ahead through the line corresponding to the digit2, etc.

The excitation of a relay assures its holding and cuts off all theothers;

The admission of a digit in subtraction is obtained by exciting the linecorresponding to the digit which is complementary to the base figure, bythe action of a reverser.

To complete the description of a control device pursuant to theinvention, there remains to be explained the operation of a comparerdevice; for this purpose, by way of example, Fig. 2 may be examined. Atthe top appear the output devices (0, 1 and 2 within a square) of a 3base register and also those (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 within a square) of a 5 baseregister. It is easy to arrange for a contact to be closed in saiddevice when a voltage there appears, by means of a relay or under thedirect action of relays R0, R11, etc. (see Fig. 1). Below, the readingterminals LE collect the voltage according to the result read, corresponding to the symbol registered on the document, which actuates acontact corresponding to that of the relays D0 to D6, which is excited.Above and below are high resistances acting as potentiometers to and 112to 117, 100 to 105 are placed in series with a resistance 106 and 112 to117 with a resistance 118. It is preferable if 118:106 and if, tosimplify and to obtain a symmetrical arrangement, that each resistance112 to 117 is to be equal to each resistance 100 to 105. Thus, forexample, 118: 106=10,000 ohms and each element of one of thepotentiometers=100 ohms. In these circumstances, for a voltage of 100volts applied between s and t, the fall of voltage at the terminals ofan element of any potentiometer will be about equal to 1 v., or 6 v. for6 elements. The closing of one of the contacts of the counter P1, bringsinto circuit the corresponding element or elements of the potentiometerof P1, which is tantamount to increasing by so many units the picked upvoltage. Furthermore, the closing of a contact of the counter P2likewise permits the employment of a number of elements corresponding tothe figure indicated by the counter, so that between 132 and t there isobtained practically the sum of the voltages corresponding to the sum ofthe partial symbols supplied by the counters P1 and P2. 'Ihis totalvoltage must be equal to the voltage corresponding to the registeredsymbol, which appears between points 135 and t." If there is an error, acurrent will pass into one of the relay coils 134 and 534 placed inseries with a resistance, each relay coils being mounted in series withan unidirectional element; at the terminals, two dry rectifiers and 136set up in opposition, or any other limiter, such as two diodes, permitlimitation of the current when the error is important. The relayactuates a contact which itself releases any suitable availableutilization device 138: a light, sound or block signal, etc., accord ingto any of the known methods.

Of course, the details of execution can be modified in numerous ways,such as doubling the relays and contacts, adding known elements, etc.,without exceeding the scope of the invention. Specifically, the comparerdevice may be made to consist, on the one hand, of a totalizer of aknown model and any known combination of comparison, for example byrelays and alternating contacts, actuating the devices for utilizationof the comparison; it can also, following a principle of analogous tothat of Fig. 2, operate on alternating current which permits ofconveniently adding the voltage supplied by separate transformers foreach register, voltage which afterwards may be rectified; the comparedvoltages may be applied to different grids of the same electronic tube,etc. Finally, it is possible to generalize further the principle of theinvention by forming the definitive symbol, not by addition of partialsymbols, but by virtue of any previously 13 established correspondenceprovided, for example, -on a switchboard;'the comparer device, in thiscase, will be required, on the one" hand, to effect the saidcorrespondence by combinations of contacts and, on the other, to comparethe symbolfthus obtained with the symbol registered on the accountingdocument.

I claim:

1. Device for detecting erroneously transcribed data accompanied by achecking item on a record for accounting machines, 'c'omprisingaplurality of differently operating calculating apparatuses, means forsuccessively entering into each of said apparatuses numberscorresponding to the distinct items to be controlled except saidchecking item, means for detecting the result of each apparatus,calculating means receiving the results so detected to calculate in apredetermined manner a single value characteristic of the enterednumbers, and means for comparing said single value with the checkingitem and for operating utilization means according to the results ofsuch comparison.

2. Device for detecting mistranscription in a series of figuresincluding a checking figure on a record for accounting machines,comprising a plurality of differently operating calculating apparatuses,electric means for successively entering into each apparatus the figuresof the series except said checking figure to obtain a representativevoltage for each apparatus, means to transform into a resulting singlevoltage the voltages furnished by the different apparatuses, said singlevoltage being representative of a resulting figure according to apre-determined relation, and means for comparing such resulting figurewith the checking figure and for evidencing an error in case of adiscrepancy between the last two figures.

3. Device for detecting mistranscription in a series of figuresaccompanied by a checking figure, on a record for accounting machines,comprising a plurality of differently operating calculating apparatuses,means for successively entering into the apparatuses all the figures ofthe series except said checking figure, means for adding together theresults furnished by the ditferent apparatuses, and means for comparingthe figure resulting from such addition with the checking figure and forevidencing an error in case of a discrepancy between the last twofigures.

4. Device for detecting erroneously transcribed data accompanied by achecking item on a record for accounting machines, comprising aplurality of cyclic counters of different counting capacity, means forsuccessively entering into said counters numbers corresponding to thedistinct items of the data to be controlled except said checking item,alternately in true value and in complement to the capacity of therespective counter according to the order of succession of said distinctitems, means for detecting the result of each apparatus, calculatingmeans receiving the results so detected to calculate in a predeterminedmanner a single value characteristic of the entered numbers, and meansfor comparing said value with the recorded values of the checking itemand for operating utilization means according to the result of suchcomparison.

5. Device for detecting erroneously transcribed data accompanied by achecking item on a record for accounting machines, comprising twodifferently operating calculating apparatuses, means for successivelyand simultaneously entering into both said apparatuses numberscorresponding to the distinct items of the data to be controlled exceptsaid check item, means for detecting the result of each apparatus,calculating means receiving the results so detected to calculate in apredetermined manner a single value characteristic of the enterednumbers, and means for comparing said value with the recorded value ofthe checking item and for operating utilization means according to theresult of such comparison.

6. Device for detecting mistranscription in a series of digitsaccompanied by a checking item, on a record for accounting machines,comprising a plurality of cyclic counters of different counting capacityone at least of these capacities being of a numeral value difiering fromthe numeration basis of said series of digits, electrical means forsuccessively entering all of said digits of said series into each ofsaid counters, alternately in true value and in complement to thecapacity of the respective counter according to the order of successionof said digits to obtain a representative voltage for each counter,means for detecting the representative voltage for each counter, meansto transform the voltages so detected into a resulting single voltage,said single' voltage being representative of a resulting digit accordingto a pre-established relation, and means for comparing the value of saidresulting digit with the recorded value of the checking item and foroperating utilization means according to the result of such comparison.

7. Device for detecting erroneously transcribed data accompanied by achecking item on a record for accounting machines, comprising data entrymeans to enter each datum into a plurality of differently operatingcalculating apparatuses each including a number of electrical devicesadapted to indicate any entry of a datum by a change of voltage on anoutput connection, said entry means controlling said electrical devicesin a difierent manner for each difierent datum value, means cooperatingwith said electrical devices for maintaining each voltage, means forsuppressing the maintained voltage for every change of voltage, anadding and comparing electrical apparatus for comparing the sum of thefinal voltages maintained on the output connections of each of saidcalculating apparatuses with a voltage representative of the value ofsaid checking item, and utilization means operating according to theresult of such comparison.

8. Electrical device for detecting erroneously transcribed dataaccompanied by a checking item on a record for accounting machines,comprising a plurality of electromagnetic diiterently operatingcalculating apparatuses, means for successively applying to each saidapparatus a voltage on a distinctive one of a plurality of inputterminals of said apparatuses, corresponding to all the different itemsof the data to be controlled except the checking item, means fordetecting a result in the form of a voltage, the value of which is inrelation with the distinctive one of the output terminals of theapparatus on which it appears, means for comparing a voltageproportional to the value of the checking item with the sum of thevoltages related to the results furnished by the dilferent calculatingapparatuses, and means for operating utilization means according to theresult of such comparison.

9. Device for detecting erroneously transcribed data accompanied by achecking item for accounting machines, comprising a plurality ofditferently operating calculating apparatuses, means for successivelyentering numbers corresponding to the different items of the data to becontrolled into each of said apparatuses, means for combining togetherthe results furnished by the different apparatuses according to apre-established correspondence when all the numbers corresponding to thedifferent items of the data to be controlled have been entered into theapparatuses, means for comparing a voltage proportional to the value ofthe checking item with the sum of the voltages proportional to theresults furnished by the different calculating apparatuses, and meansfor operating utilization means according to the result of suchcomparison.

10. A control device for detecting errors made by an accounting machinewhen storing data which are readable on a document together with a checksingle symbol, this device comprising in combination means for enteringeach successively stored datum into an electrical switching unit totransform each datum into representative electrical pulses, apulse-responding cyclic counter connected to the switching unit outputto calculate and deliver a partial symbol of said data in the form of avoltage; at least another differently pulse-responding cyclic counterssimilarly connected; an electrical network, arranged in the form ofpredetermined circuits connected to the outputs of said counters,transforming the voltages finally delivered by said counters into aresulting voltage on the network output; means for entering saidresulting voltage and a voltage representative of the value of saidcheck symbol into a comparing unit giving a signal when said resultingvoltage is dilferent from said representative voltage.

11. A control device as claimed in claim 10, wherein each partial symbolis the remainder of the division, by an integer smaller than ten, of thesum of the digits of the readable data.

12. A control device as claimed in claim 10, wherein each partial symbolis the remainder of the division, by an integer smaller than ten, of thealgebraic sum of the successive digits of the readable data, when saiddigits are alternately given and signs.

13. A control device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the check symbol isthe sum of the partial symbols.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,283,293 Poole Oct. 29, 1918

